THE $1 million Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Derby Day remains the next mission for Caulfield Cup runner-up Alcopop, who was enjoying being back home in familiar surrounds on the Fleurieu Peninsular yesterday.

Trainer Jake Stephens said the star South Australian was enjoying a few days of recovery following his outstanding Caulfield Cup run where he produced stunning sectionals, only to bump into arguably the world's best stayer in Dunaden.

Alcopop's game effort in defeat was only enhanced by the sectional times that he produced, running 11.49sec from the 800m to the 600m around the sweeping Caulfield turn before being run down in the concluding stages.

"When you look at his sectionals, the work he did round that turn, it was a big effort," Stephens said yesterday.

"It's just a shame we bumped into a champion in one of the hardest Cups ever."

Stephens said Alcopop had come through his Caulfield effort in fine order and would increase his workload towards the end of the week ahead of a Melbourne return.

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